The governments of Tanzania and the United States have announced that the first medication- assisted therapy (MAT) program for drug users in sub-Saharan Africa will begin shortly at two sites in Dar es Salaam and one in Zanzibar. Recognizing that high-risk practices related to drug use contribute to HIV transmission, the Tanzania Drug Control Commission (DCC) has promoted and adopted novel and evidence-based interventions to facilitate improved access to services that prevent HIV among drug users.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) intends to commit $4 million to fund 8 to 10 awards in fiscal year 2012 to support implementation science projects that will inform the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as it develops more efficient and cost-effective methods to deliver HIV prevention, treatment, and care for drug-using populations.